Suspension ceiling



Mamh 7, 1959 A. F. JANTSCH 2,877,878

SUSPENSION CEILING Filed June 25, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I i I E l I I I I k 5 8 i i L /48 INVENTOR.

| M -49 ALBERT/ (/ANTSCH a w BY L i 48 4.? ATTORNL-VS.

March 17, 1959 A. F. JANTSCH 2,

SUSPENSION CEILING Filed June 25, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 4 m J46 Ji 644133163 jlzgifi 6 L 1.1 01712 Fi i 70 INVENTOR. AL BERT EdA/vrscw A TTORNEYS.

March 17, 1959 A. F. JANTSCH 2,877,878

SUSPENSION CEILING Filed June 25, 1953 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. AL BERT E L/ANTSCH ATTORNEYS.

March 17, 1959 A. F. JANTSCH 2,877,878

SUSPENSION CEILING Filed June 25, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 HZZ' INVENTOR.

4L BERT Eg/ANTSCH 73 BY A 7'7'ORNEYS.

March 17, 1959 A. F. JANTSCA 2,877,878

SUSPENSION CEILING 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 25) 1953 INVENTOR. 14L BERT EJAA/rscH QWW,M@M

ATTORNEYS.

March 17,1959

A. F. JANTSCH SUSPENSION CEILING 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 25, 1953 m m w m AL BERT E dmvrsoq A 7'7'ORNE vs.

.nited States Patent SUSPENSION CEILING Albert F. .lantsch, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to National Gypsum Company, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application June 25, 1953, Serial No. 364,022

2 Claims. (Cl. 189-88) This invention relates to improvements in ceiling and wall constructions and more particularly is directed to improved means for lining ceilings and walls to improve their acoustical qualities, or to provide a desirable interior finish, or the like, as for example where it is irn possible, non-feasible, or undesirable to apply the lining directly to the Walls or ceiling.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide in a ceiling and wall construction of the aforesaid type, improved means for supporting a lining in spaced relation from its supporting structure.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved furring runner means and improved wire clip fastener means therefor adapted to securely engage said furring runner means in contact with a suitable supporting structure by simply engaging said furring runner means with one end of said clip and snapping its opposite end over a member of said supporting structure without intermovement between the interconnected members.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the aforesaid furring runner means with suitable tile supporting flanges permitting said runner means to be relatively cheaply and easily manufactured.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a. universal wire clip of the aforesaid type which is adapted for both right-hand and left-hand use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide tiles which are adapted to be supported, or held in place in improved manner by engagement of their edges by the aforesaid furring runner flanges.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a ceiling construction embodying the aforesaid advantages and having wall abutment support means therefor which provide a neat finish border in addition to being support means.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a ceiling structure of the aforesaid type which is rigid and easily and rapidly installed and having conjoining tile sections in substantially airtight sealing relation so as to eliminate undesirable flow of air, or breathing between the room space and the space above the ceiling with changes of temperature and atmospheric pressure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, .in a construction of the aforesaid type, means for replacing tiles without dismantling the surrounding structure. Still another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the aforesaid type which is readily adaptable in improved manner for stepped wall or ceiling portions, and to accommodate light troffers, or the like.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent in view of the following description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view as seen from above showing one particular embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 1a is an enlarged .fragmentaryperspective view 2,877,878 Patented Mar. 17, 1959 of an acoustical tile shown in the illustrative embodi ment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 1b is a reduced top plan view of the above tile;

Fig. 1c is a fragmentary end view of the above tile;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken perspective view of a runner of the type particularly illustrated in the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a broken perspective view of a splice member particularly adapted to interconnect lengths of the above runner;

Fig. 3a is a fragmentary perspective view showing a runner splice connection;

Fig. 3b is a sectional viewthrough a runner splice connection of the type particularly shown in Fig. 312;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a flat spline, or key, of the type particularly illustrated in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 5 is a broken perspective view showing 'a T spline or key adapted for use in place of the spline, or key, illustrated in Fig. 4 as when greater rigidity and strength is required;

Fig. 5a is a fragmentary perspective view showing a. T spline to runner connection similar to the flat spline to runner connection of the type moreparticularly illustrated in Fig. 1 at one side of said runner;

Fig. 6 is a front view of a particular preferred form of spring clip, or stirrup, of the invention;

Fig. 6a is a front view of a modified form of the above clip;

Fig. 6b is a side view of the clip shown in Fig. 60;

Fig. 6c is a side view of another modified form of clip similar to that shown in Figs. 6a and 6b;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, as seen from above, showing a preferred form of ceiling-wall construction for the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. l; i I

Fig. 7a is a perspective view showing a spring spacer member of the invention; I

Fig. 7b is a'perspective view showing a finish channel splice member of the invention;

Fig. 7c is a fragmentary perspective view showing a finish channel splice connection; I

Fig. 7d is a perspective view showing a spring retainer clip of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partially sectional view taken on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a partially sectional view taken along the line IXIX of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the above embodiment of the invention as being adapted to accommodate in improved manner a light troffer arrangement therein;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view taken on the line XIX[ of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the above embodiment of the invention as being adapted to accommodate in improved manner another form of light trofier arrangement; I

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view takenon the lines XIII--XIII of Fig. 12;

Figs. 14, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and 15 show .in plan view and perspective a method and means for replacing a tile section in the aforesaid embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary reduced plan view showing a broken tile in a finished construction of the aforesaid embodiment of the invention, indicating a. method of removal thereof;

Fig. 14a shows half-length splines inserted in adjacen tile sections surrounding an opening in a ceiling or wall lining of the invention;

Fig. 14b shows a tile section of the invention adapted for assembly in the opening oftFig.

Fig. 14c is an end view of the tile of Fig. 14b in its mounting position between a pair of runners' Fig. 14d:is a top plan view of the title of Fig. 140;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a method of engaging the aforesaid half-splines in assembled position; and

Fig. 16 is a reduced perspective view of a modification of the aforesaid embodiment of the invention; the modiflcation being a stepped suspension ceiling.

The particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing generally comprises a suspended ceiling structure including a plurality of runner supporting channels 20 hung at a common level in equally spaced and approximately parallel relation, for example to span the underside of a concrete upper floor 21 by means of wire suspension means 22 which are wrapped around said channels and hang from a plurality of wire support loops 23 embedded in the ceiling as shown in Fig. 1. It is obvious that the channels are readily adjusted to a common level by simply twisting the wire suspension means by a toggle rod 24 and that various other methods of fastening the runner supporting structure may be devised as is commonly known in the art.

A plurality of furring runners 25 (Figs. 1 and 2) are arranged in this particular embodiment of the invention to traverse the aforesaid channel members and to be supported thereby in contacting relation by means of a plurality of wire clips 26. The furring runners 25 are each made into generally inverted J channel form, preferably by a rolling operation, or the like, from a suitable sheet of metal such as 25 gage galvanized steel.

More particularly, the furring runners are each shaped into a cross-sectional form (Figs. 2 and 3b) comprising a web portion 27 which is bent at its upper edge into a clip retaining hook portion 28 and at its lower edge into a portion bent laterally outwardly and then folded back on itself to provide a tile support flange head or fin 29 at one side and protruding at the opposite side .intoa tile support flange 30 having a marginal portion 31 as indicated by A in Fig. 3b which is acutely upwardly bent along a line parallel to the web portion 27 and slightly inwardly of the outer edge of the hook portion 28 and having an outer edge which lies in a plane containing the upper face of the bead or fin 29. Thus, the flange portion 30 provides a comparatively resilient supporting surface and is adapted to snugly engage in inwardly and upwardly bearing relation a splice connection channel member 32 inserted into the runner end to nest against the web and hook portions of the runner in the manner shown in Fig. 3b.

The aforesaid runners" are made of substantial length, convenient for shipment and installation. They may be shortened by cutting to fit a room of small dimen sions, or assembled in line with other runners in a large room, and spliced together by the channel splice connectors 32 inserted into abutting ends in the above manner and held in place thereby.

The aforesaid clips 26 of the invention are made, as illustrated in the drawing, from continuous pieces of heavy iron wire bent into any desired form. The preferred form of the clip of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6, 8 and 9 as comprising a central portion 33 slanted from the vertical and obtusely bent near its lower end as at 34 (Fig. 9) and then being bent upwardly at the bottom into a hook portion 35 which ends in a substantially laterally extending portion 36 which folds back on itself into a runner engaging portion 37, the central portion 33 being laterally bent outwardly into a channel-engaging portion 38 at its upper end in the direction of the portions '36 and 37 and being substantially parallel thereto and having a detent 39 at the end thereof a suitable distance from the central portion to overlap and lock said clip in engaged position over the suspension means, as for example the aforesaid channel members 20.

Thus, it is a particular feature of the invention that the aforesaid furring runners" are adapted to be easily and rapidly fixed to traverse, for example, the underside of the aforesaid suspension channels in adjustably fixed relation thereto by simply nesting the aforesaid runner engaging portion 37 of a clip of the invention into the aforesaid runner" clip retaining hook portion 28 at the juncture of said runners and said channels and then sliding, or rotating, the clip portion 38 to cam it by means of its detent 39 to spring and finally lock over said channels so that it then holds the furring runner forcibly against the channel bar. It is, of course, to be understood that when the aforesaid clip is in unstressed poistion, the distance from the underside of the upper channel-engaging portion 38 to the upper side of the runner engaging portion 37 will be somewhat smaller than the combined depth of the channel member 20 and the thickness of the runner hook portion 28, whereby the clip must be flexed and strained (but only within its elastic limit) in being applied.

It is also a particular feature of the foresaid preferred form of clipof the invention that multiple spring forces created in its stressed runner" supporting position provide resultant forces acting normally to the contacting surface between the channels and the runner, whereby an improved holding action is achieved. A further feature of the clip 26 is its adaptability for either right or left-hand use in embodiments of the invention of the aforesaid type as hereinafter more particularly noted.

A slight modification of the aforesaid furring rnnncr" clip is illustrated at 40 in Figs. 6a and 6b to comprise a vertical portion 41 having at its upper end a laterally extending portion 42 which is bent to have a detent 43 and having at its lower end a hook portion 44 which ends in a rectangular spiral hook portion 45, the aforesaid hook portions being formed at right angles to each other and so that the hook portion 44 lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane containing the vertical portion 41 and the upper laterally extending portion 42. The hook portion 44 is preferably ofiset in a further modification of the clip 40 illustrated in Fig. 60 as indicated at 46 so that a plane containing the vertical portion 41 and the upper laterally extending portion 42 is substantially equidistant from the sides of the spiral hook portion 45. The hook portion 44 is of course formed of suflicient depth so as to permit the spiral hook portion 45 to nest in and bear against the runner hook portion 28 when in assembled position.

As illustrated in Fig. l, a plurality of titles 47 are adapted to be carried in end-to-end relation between pairs of'the aforesaid furring runners. The tiles 47 in the particular embodiment illustrated (Figs. la, 1b, and 1c) are preferably kerfed in all ends as indicated at 48, rabbeted on all four upper edges as indicated at 49. chamfered on all lower corners as indicated at 59, and grooved when desired as at 51 (Fig. 1b) to achieve a decorative effect.

The term tiles is used hereinabove, and hereinafter, in a generic sense to include not only ceramic tiles (which may be mounted and set by means of this invention), but also slabs or boards of other materials, and including acoustical tiles, so called, of a material and construction which are largely absorptive of sound vibrations.

It is noted that, for convenience, those sides of the aforesaid tiles which extend along the furring runners will be designated as their longitudinal sides, and these sides which extend across from one runner to the next, as transverse sides, this regardless of the relative lengths of those sides.

Thus, the tiles are engaged at their longitudinal sides by means of the tuning runner flanges which are arranged to project into the longitudinal kerfs on each side of the tiles, respectively, and to maintain them at a common level throughout.

A" plurality of transverse spline members 52 are preferably stamped, or the like, into straight flat strips-of e,"s rr,ers

sheet metal having a centrally embossed area' 53., ,The splines 52 are dimensioned to be adapted for insertion into the transverse kerfs of the abutting tiles 47 to provide transverse support and rigidity therefor and to overlap the runner flange portion 30 at one of its ends and to abut the runner flange bead 29 at its other end. It is to be understood that, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, in assembled relation, the weight of the tile members will bow the aforesaid runner flange marginal portion 31 by a concentration of force as at the point 54 where the splines 52 overlap so that the abutting tiles thereat will be supported in a common horizontal plane. It is also to be understood that a transverse spline member 52a of the type illustrated in Fig. 5 may be used in place of the aforesaid transverse spline 52 when greater rigidity is required.

Another feature of the invention lies in the provision of a plurality of tile bearing spring clips of the type particularly illustrated at 55 (Fig. 7d) for thepurpose of applying downward spring pressure from above the aforeaforesaid point 54 to insure bowing thereat of the runner flanges, as for example to apply suflicient pressure at the aforesaid point 54 to insure bowing threat of the runner flange as aforesaid (Figs. 1, 8 and 9), or to bear the outermost tiles against the support edge of the hereinafter described wall finish channels to facilitate a substantially airtight ceiling construction, or to permit working upwardly on the aforesaid ceiling to plaster a finish coat, or the like, when desired.

The spring clips 55, as illustrated in Fig. 7d, are preferably formed from spring steel of suitable strength and elasticity into a central runner clamping portion 56 including a pair of inwardly tapered walls 5757 having suitable inwardly projecting detents 58 therein and a pair of outwardly and downwardly flaring spring arms 5959 preferably ending in radiused tile pressing edges 60-60. Thus, the spring clips are adapted to be pressed over the aforesaid furring runner hook portions to press against the upper face of the aforesaid tiles, being retained in tilepressing engagement by locking of said detents against the edge of the runner hook portion 28. It will be understood that the detents 58 may be arranged in spaced relation, as shown in Fig. 7d, so as to be adaptable for use with tiles of varied thicknesses in a construction of the aforesaid type. It will further be understood that the distance from the detents 58 to the tile engaging edges 6060 of the aforesaid spring clips when in unstressed condition will be substantially larger than the distance from the detent engaging edge of the runner hook portion 28 to the upper face of the tiles when in assembled relation therewith and the spring clip wall-to-wall spacing shall be substantially smaller at their lower portions than the width of the runner hook portion whereby the clip must be flexed and strained substantially outwardly and upwardly in being applied, whereupon it then forces the tiles firmly downwardly to a common level.

Thus, the aforesaid construction employs an arrangement of tiles, furring runners, splines and clips providing joints between abutting tiles which are substantially airtight so as to prevent the flow of air, or breathing, as it is called, between the room and the space abovethe ceiling with changes of temperature and atmospheric pressure. Such air flow, although inconsiderable, leaves a deposit of dirt around the openings through which it passes, and in time causes the spots so affected to appear soiled in contrast with the rest of the tile surfaces. Such breathing and discoloration is prevented throughout the entire extent of the joints between contiguous tiles.

tially blocks these tortuous passages. The overlap of the splines as aforesaid on one of the furring runner flanges also helps to eliminate breather openings and to provide a rigid ceiling structure.

. walls substantially parallel to the runners, the tile sup- Still another feature of the invention lies in the particular arrangements utilized for providing wall support and a finish border for a suspension ceiling of the aforesaid type. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 7, finish wall channels as indicated generally at 61 are fixed to the side walls 62 as for example by nailing, or the like. The finish channels 61 are preferably stamped, or the like, from a suitable sheet material into a wall-abutting web portion 63,-

distance from the lower face of the tiles to the top of the supporting runners so that in assembled relation at opposite walls of a room the runners will abut the finish channel web portions at points under the upper flange portion while the outer marginal end portion of the tiles will rest on the tile support edge. Of course, along port edges of the finish wall channels fixed thereto will provide end support for the outer marginal edges of the outermost rows of tiles.

The aforesaid finish channels are made in substantial length, convenient for shipment and installation. They may be shortened by cutting to fit a room of small dimensions, or assembled in line with other finished channels in a large room, and spliced together by means of a channel splice connector 68 (Fig. 7b) inserted into abutting ends thereof in the manner indicated in Fig. 70. Thus, a con- Throughout the major part of these joints it is prevented and tortuous one, while their engagement with either top or bottom groove-bounding ledges 'of the'tiles, substanstruction of the aforesaid type is obviously adapted for storage and shipment in compact and space-saving form and is easily installed without special tools or skilled labor.

It is noted that a plurality of spring spacers as indicated at 69 (Fig. 7) are positioned between the aforesaid finish channel web portions and the ends of the tiles to hold the tiles of each row between a pair of furring runners in firm engagement with each other to insure the aforesaid anti-air breathing characteristic of the present 7 construction.

The spring spacers 69 as illustrated in Fig. 7a are preferably formed from flat spring steel having suitable strength and elasticity into a tile pressing face 70 having angularly outwardly extending spring arms 7171 which end in finish channel web contacting flanges 72-72. It will, of course, be understood that when the spacer is in unstressed position, the distance between the flange 72 and the face 70 shall be greater than the end clearance between the tile ends and the finish channel web portion whereby the clip will be flexed and strained (butonly within its elastic limit) when applied.

A method of suspending a ceiling of the aforesaid type; by means of the hereinabove described elements is as; follows. The channel bars 20 having been suspended and leveled, runners" are fastened up against them from beneath by the clips 26 and spaced apart approximately equal to the width of the tiles. Preferably they are ar;

ranged symmetrically with respect to the room; that is, with the middle two runners aquidistant, on opposite sides, from the middle line'of the room, so that if the dimension of the room is not equal to a whole number of tiles, the tiles may be cut so that the two outermost rows will have the same width. The finish channels 61 are fixed to the walls with their upper flanges resting on the 7 ends of the runners where they abut the channel web portions and continue around the room to be fixed at a.

common level. Tiles are first inserted between the two middle runners beginning ordinarily at one end of the intermediate space with the endmost tile resting on the aforesaid channel edge 67 and being backed in the aforesaid manner by the spring spacer 69. It may be preferable to fasten furring runners to the suspension means and insert tiles therebetween in that order for ease in assembly, splicing the said fnrring runners in proceeding from wall to wall. Transverse splines are inserted between successive tiles of the row. Other rows are similarly set on each side of the middle row until the walls of the room are reached. If necessary in order to bring the tiles of adjacent rows close together, the runners may be moved laterally without disconnecting their holding clips from the bars of the suspension structure, as by exertion of a moderate thrust or taps of a hammer. In the outermost rows adjacent the room walls tiles are preferably inserted between the runner and the finish channel beginning from both ends and working toward some intermediate point so that the last tile in an outermost row will be pressed against the spring spacer pressure toward the channel web portion simultaneously with displacement of the adjacent tiles against the tile row end spacers, whereby said last tile may then be snapped into position.

Figs. 10 and 12 show a plan view of an arrangement of the aforesaid embodiment of the invention for accommodating in improved manner a plurality of lighting units comprising trough-like units, as indicated at 73, containing illuminating devices such, for example, as the so-ealled fluorescent units.

Thus, for example, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13 the suspension channel members and the furring runners are arranged to provide openings of suitable size to accommodate the light trolfers therebetween. The tiles are the installed in the hereinabove described manner around the aforesaid light trofier openings. The light trotfers are made of sheet metal having flanges 7474 which can be relatively displaced against the elasticity of the light troifer body. Thus, one flange 74 of the light trotfer is preferably inserted into the transverse kerfs of the tile ends facing one side of the light troffer opening below the flanges of the furring runners as indicated at 75 (Figs. 11 and 12) and an opposite flange 74 is then elastically flexed to clear the opposite side of the said opening and then is snapped into the transverse kerfs of the tile ends facing said opposite side, whereby said light troffers are then neatly supported in the aforesaid construction.

It is another feature of the invention that the aforesaid clips 26, as seen in Figs. 11 and 13, provide minimum clip projection into the aforesaid light troifer openings, thereby eliminating possible interference therewith during installation of the hereinabove described light troffers in the hereinabove described manner.

Furthermore, still another feature of the invention particularly embodied herein, as illustrated in Figs. 14, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and 15 lies in providing means for replacing individual tiles in the aforesaid ceiling assembly without dismantling the surrounding structure. Thus, an old tile may be simply broken as shown in Fig. 14 and removed. Then, a special replacement tile 76 (Fig. 14b) is made from a standard tile section 47 by cutting back approximately one-half of the upper rabbeted wall of the transverse kerfs as shown at 77-77 from one end of each thereof and then cutting off the entire longitudinal upper kerf wall across the opposite end as at 759. A pair of shortened replacement spline members 7-79 (Fig. 14a) are inserted in the transverse kerfs at one end of the tiles adjacent the ceiling opening. Then, the tile 76 is fitted on the runner flange at one end thereof and then svnmg from the solid line position into the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 14c and seen in plan view in Fig. 14d. Then, the splines are merely shifted as shown in Fig. 15 into engagement with the replacement tile section 76 whereby a three point suspension is provided therefor.

Application of the invention to form upright walls, or an inner lining or facing for walls, is made in essentially the same way as hereinabove described except that the channels or bars 20 are set to conform with a Wall instead of a ceiling. They may be thus set vertically side by side, or horizontally one above another. They may be placed alongside an already complete wall, spaced apart from it far enough to admit the clips 26, or serve as the skeleton of a wall. The furring runners are attached to them by the aforesaid clips, to run horizontally if the bars are vertical, or vertically if the bars are horizontal, or may be inclined if necessary. With such variation in direction, the wall construction is substantially identical with the illustrations in the drawing and the foregoing description, and the mode of laying the tiles proceeds in essentially the same way. With this explanation, it will be understood that the term runner, and the terms indicating direction and position with respect to the horizontal and vertical, used in the foregoing detailed description, have no significance as limiting the scope of the protection which is hereinafter claimed, but are merely convenient terms of description.

Thus, the hereinabove particular embodiment of the invention is readily adapted for construction of various types of ceilings and walls as for example, the stepped ceiling construction illustrated in Fig. 16, the details of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the hereinabove description.

This invention, in all its illustrative embodiments, provides a very flexible, and yet absolutely secure, support for the facing tiles, which enables them to be set flush with one another and with complete concealment of the holding means. Although this illustration shows the tiles as beveled on the edges, this is not an essential feature and they may be made with square edges and set with very inconspicious joints. At the same time the whole structure may be assembled, and the tiles set in place, with great ease and rapidity. The ceiling or wall facing so made may be of a sound deadening character or not, as desired, according to the nature of the tiles selected, and it may be plain or have any desired quality of ornamentation which may be imparted to each tile individually before assembly or to the ceiling after assembly. Square or rectangular outline of the tiles is not obligatory, since they may have any other polygonal forms which will match together, and the furring runners need not necessarily be parallel to one another, although generally it is preferable that they should be. A very low cost of installation is possible with this in vention.

Although only illustrative structure has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited but that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination consisting of a horizontal elongate suspension member, a substantially perpendicularly disposed, horizontal, elongate ceiling-tile-supporting runner mounted adjacent therebelow and a wire clip attached to said suspension member and said runner, said runner comprising an elongate, vertical central web, means on the lower end for supporting ceiling-tile edges, and an upper hanger portion of downwardly opening, elongate, channel form, said channel being wider than the diameter of the wire of said wire clip, said clip comprising a single generally vertical leg, means on said upper end of said clip overhanging said suspension member, said clip bottom end having a runner hanger engaging hook resiliently urging said runner against said suspension member, said hook including an engaging portion extending parallel to said runner disposed within the channel of said hanger portion and disposed at least in part vertically below said suspension member, said engaging portion having a greater dimension in a direction parallel to said channel and being in the form of a spring having a transverse compressibility and having a normal unsprung elfective width relative to the width of said channel such that said engaging portion is frictionally held by said channel in fixed position relative to said channel, said engaging portion comprising essentially a plurality of sections formed by bends in said engaging portion, said sections having a general extent parallel to and within said channel and each said section resiliently frictionally engaging a respective opposite wall of said channel, providing a stable complementary fit of said engaging portion within said channel whereby a completely stabilized attachment of all elements of said combination is provided by said singlelegged clip.

2. The combination consisting of a horizontal elongate suspension member, a substantially perpendicularly disposed, horizontal, elongate, ceiling-tile-supporting runner mounted adjacent therebelow and a wire clip attached to said suspension member and said runner, said runner comprising an elongate, vertical central web, means on the lower end for supporting ceiling-tile edges, and an upper hanger portion of downwardly opening elongate channel form, said clip comprising a single generally vertical leg, means on said upper end of said clip overhanging said suspension member, said clip bottom end having a runner hanger engaging hook resiliently urging said runner against said suspension member, said hook including an engaging portion extending parallel to said runner disposed within the channel of said hanger portion, and disposed at least in part vertically below said suspension member, said engaging portion having a greater dimension in a direction parallel to said channel and being in the form of a spring having a transverse compressibility and having a normal unsprung effective width relative to the width of said channel such that said engaging portion is frictionally held by said channel in fixed position relative to said channel, said engaging portion comprising essentially two parallel channel engaging legs formed by a reverse bend therebetween, said channel engaging legs extending parallel to and within said channel and each said channel engaging leg resiliently frictionally engaging a respective opposite Wall of said channel, providing a stable complementary fit of said engaging portion Within said channel, whereby a completely stabilized attachment of all elements of said combination is provided by said single-legged clip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,921 Greulich Oct. 14, 1941 792,451 Pruss June 13, 1905 843,956 Martin Feb. 12, 1907 1,984,028 Macleod Dec. 11, 1934 2,101,952 Olsen Dec. 14, 1937 2,139,641 Newmeister Dec. 6, 1938 2,163,209 Pungle June 20, 1939 2,270,268 Chambers Jan. 20, 1942 2,318,092 Olsen May 4, 1943 2,406,315 Blocher Aug. 27, 1946 2,447,694 Finch Aug. 24, 1948 2,481,794 Stitt Sept. 13, 1949 2,485,090 Finch Oct. 18, 1949 2,499,278 Olsen Feb. 28, 1950 2,641,035 Nelsson June 9, 1953 2,648,102 Jacobson Aug. 11, 1953 2,667,667 Jacobson Feb. 2, 1954 2,706,315 Price Apr. 19, 1955 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 2,877,878 March 17, 1959 Albert F, Jantsch ied that error appears in the-printed specification It is hereb$ certif n and that the said Letters of the above numbered patent requiring correctio Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 13, for "poistion" read position line 2G,, for "foresaid" read aforesaid column 5, line 21, for aforesaid point 54 to insure bowing thereat of the "runner read. am said tiles to keep the tiles resting firmly on the "runner" 3 column '7 line 35, for "the installed" read then installed Signed and sealed this 30th day of June' 1959.

SEAL AttBSt KARL H. AXLINE Attesting Officer ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents 

